Year of the 'Jacks - Summer
8/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
2014-15 proved to be arguably the most memorable year in the history of Stephen F. Austin Athletics. Nine regular season conference titles, three NCAA postseason appearances, seven Coach of the Year honors, seven All-Americans, 23 Southland Conference major award winners, a national runner-up showing and the program's first Division I national champion. Over the summer, SFAJacks.com looked back at the highlights of SFA's historic 2014-15 season, a season which came to be known as the "Year of the `Jacks".
MAY-AUGUST
May 2 – FB – Johnson Signs With Oakland Raiders
SFA All-American Gus Johnson signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 2. The running back’s signing is a fitting conclusion to the greatest rushing season and career in program history.
May 7 – SB – Welch and Lewis Named Academic All-District
SFA softball student-athletes Hannah Welch and Brittany Lewis were each named to the Capital One Academic All-District Seven First Team, as announced by CoSIDA following the season. Welch boasted a 3.94 GPA as a communication disorders major while Lewis held a 3.46 GPA in interdisciplinary studies.
May 7 – BSB – O’Neill Earns Academic All-District Honors
Stephen F. Austin senior first baseman Dan O'Neill was named a Capital One Academic All-District selection, announced by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). O'Neill was one of four infielders named to the District VII team.
May 8 – BSB - Gann's Complete Game Anchors 1-0 Win
Cameron Gann recorded a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits with eight strikeouts, including five over the final two innings, propelling SFA to a 1-0 win over Lamar. Gann moved to 4-3 on the season with the victory.
May 8 – T&F – Payne Breaks Own Collegiate Record at SLC Championships
Just two weeks after breaking the collegiate outdoor women’s pole vault record for the first time, SFA’s Demi Payne raised the bar again on the first day of the SLC Championships in Hammond, Louisiana. The junior pole vaulter skied over her previous top national mark with a monster 15-5.5 (4.71m) vault to win her second career SLC crown.
May 10 – T&F – SFA Storms Back to Sweep SLC Titles
The SFA track and field teams beat the odds on the final day of the SLC Championships to sweep both the men’s and women’s team titles, coming from behind in dramatic fashion. The women scored 34 points in the final three events alone with the men picking up crucial points down the stretch as well to edge Sam Houston State. SFA’s event champions included: Josh Taylor (400mH), DeJernel Jordan (800m), Charles Mathenge (10,000m), Melai Carter (High Jump), Demi Payne (Pole Vault), Cody Rhodes (Decathlon) and both 4x400m relays.
May 14- WTEN- Terentyeva, Kraushaar Named All-Academic
Boasting a Southland-best two student-athletes on the All-Academic team, tennis player Valeria Terentyeva and bowler Paige Kraushaar were named first team Capital One Academic All-District Women's At-Large selections.
May 14 – T&F – Payne Named SLC Female Athlete of the Year
After breaking her own collegiate record and winning the women’s pole vault title at the SLC Championships, SFA’s Demi Payne was named the SLC Female Athlete of the Year. She was also honored as the SLC Outstanding Field Performer and the Newcomer of the Year.
May 18 – BSB – Thornell Earns All-SLC Second Team Honors
Stephen F. Austin junior Kyle Thornell was named a second team All-Southland Conference selection at the designated hitter position, picking up the first All-SLC honors of his career. In addition, sophomore outfielder Connor Fikes was named an All-SLC honorable mention selection.
May 20 – WBB – Roberts Signs With San Antonio Stars
SFA women’s basketball standout Porsha Roberts signed with the San Antonio Stars in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as an undrafted free agent in May. She was one of just 15 women to crack the Stars’ final 2015 training camp roster.
May 21 – T&F – Nine ‘Jacks Qualify for NCAA Regionals
Nine members of the SFA track and field teams qualified in eight different events for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds, which took place at the University of Texas from May 28-30. Demi Payne (Pole Vault), Stephanie White (400mH), Josh Taylor (400mH/4x400m), My’Lik Kerley (400m/4x400m), Charles Mathenge (10,000m), Jared Love (100m), Daven Murphree (Pole Vault), Tedrick Hawkins (4x400m) and John Joe (4x400m) each qualified, with Payne and Taylor advancing to the NCAA Championships.
June 10 – BSB - Gann Selected in MLB Draft by Diamondbacks
On the day where college baseball and the MLB merge together, right-handed pitcher Cameron Gann was selected with the first pick of the 27th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is the seventh player chosen in the draft under head coach Johnny Cardenas.
June 11 – T&F – Taylor Finishes 19th at NCAA Championships
One of the best athletes to ever compete at SFA, Josh Taylor ended his decorated collegiate career at the 2015 NCAA Championships, taking 19th place in the 400m hurdles. He ran his semifinal race in 51.73 seconds, just missing a place in the finals.
June 11 – T&F – Payne Wins NCAA Pole Vault Title
SFA’s Demi Payne capped one of the best seasons in collegiate pole vault history by winning the 2015 NCAA Women’s Pole Vault Title in Eugene, Oregon. The USTFCCCA First Team All-American used a winning height of 15-5 (4.70m) at Historic Hayward Field to become SFA’s first NCAA Division I Champion in any sport. She shattered the previous NCAA Outdoor Championship record by nearly 10 inches in the process. Her 10 points helped the Ladyjacks finish 20th as a team – the highest team finish in program history.
June 28 – T&F – Payne Takes Third at USA Championships to Make U.S. Team
Demi Payne continued her success into the summer months, placing third at the USA Outdoor Championships to secure her place on the U.S. team heading to the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. Payne jumped 15-1 (4.60m) at Historic Hayward Field in Eugene to take third out of the top 18 women’s pole vaulters in the country.
July 9 – T&F – Payne Named Bowerman Trophy Finalist
Demi Payne was named one of three finalists for The Bowerman Trophy, as announced by the USTFCCCA in early July. The Bowerman is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track and field athletes in the nation and is considered collegiate track and field’s highest individual award. The finalist selection was the first for SFA and the Southland Conference – either gender.
July 23 – T&F – Payne Takes Fourth at Pan American Games
Demi Payne represented the USA well in her first international competition, finishing fourth in the women’s pole vault final at the 2015 Pan American Games. She jumped 14-9 (4.50m) in the event held in Toronto.
July 27 – FB – Johnson Signs Training Camp Deal With Cowboys
Former SFA All-American Gus Johnson was signed by the Dallas Cowboys prior to the team’s 2015 Training Camp in Oxnard, California. After impressing the organization in camp, Johnson earned the start for America’s Team in the organization’s first preseason game against the San Diego Chargers on August 13. He rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown in his debut.
July 31 – T&F – Kerley Earns Gold, Silver at Pan Am Juniors
My'Lik Kerley won the silver medal for the USA in the 400m run at the 2015 Pan American Junior Games in Edmonton, Alberta, establishing himself as one of the fastest runners under 20 in North and South America. He used a personal best time of 46.33 seconds to take second before helping the USA 4x400m relay team win the gold medal by running a solid anchor leg.
August 11 – T&F – Payne Wins Bowerman Trophy Fan Vote
Demi Payne took one huge step closer to becoming the 2015 Bowerman Trophy winner, claiming the Fan Vote victory over Kentucky’s Keni Harrison and Oregon’s Jenna Prandini as announced by the Bowerman committee on August 11. The overall winner will be crowned in December.
"Year of the `Jacks" By The Numbers
Regular Season Conference Titles: 9
Total Number of Conference Titles: 10
NCAA Postseason Appearances: 4
All-Americans: 7
National/USA Champions: 2
SLC Major Award Winners: 23
SLC Players of the Year: 6
SLC/National Coaches of the Year: 7
First team All-SLC selections: 43
Total All-SLC selections: 105
Capital One Academic All-District selections: 11
Capital One Academic All-Americans: 2
SLC Student-Athletes of the Year: 3
SLC All-Academic Team selections: 24
"Year of the `Jacks" Release Schedule
August/September: Friday, June 19
October: Friday, June 26
November: Friday, July 3
December: Friday, July 10
January: Friday, July 17
February: Friday, July 24
March: Friday, July 31
April: Friday, August 7
Summer: Friday, August 14
-SFA-
